Solar Impulse, the experimental sun-powered airplane that departed from Swiss two weeks ago, has just arrived in Morocco, successfully completing the first intercontinental flight in a solar powered-plane. Piloted by Andre Borschberg, Solar Impulse holds now the record for the longest flight by a manned solar-powered airplane after staying aloft for 26 hours, 10 minutes and 19 seconds above Switzerland, and also a record for altitude by flying at 9,235 metres.

To celebrate the 60th year of Queen Elizabeth II in the British throne, and in honor of her Service, Kikkerland Design Inc. has launched the Limited Solar Queen Jubilee Edition. Designed by Chris Collicott, the Solar Queen Jubilee Edition waves when her handbag is activated by sunlight: thanks to a solar panel, when the gift is placed in direct sunlight performs the signature Royal wave just like her majesty’s does in real life. This commemorative gadget is just one of some the company has made, none of them as elegant as this one: the toy is dressed in a lilac dress with crown and ‘diamond’ broach. (more…)

Last weekend, and due to an early summer day, Germany solar power plants generated around 22GW during the midday hours of Friday May 25 and Saturday May 26, producing, only on Saturday, a 40% of the total power demand in the country. These numbers, which equal almost half of national electricity demand, and are equivalent to the power output of twenty nuclear power plants, have set up another new world record for solar power.